PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Dawindi Buktot (ranked 24365 p4p, 24283 weight class) and Kulata Bitok (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Buktot
vs
Bitok

182 cm
20
160
12 - 13 - 2

182 cm
20
160
9 - 17 - 2

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 13 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dawindi Buktot!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 17 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kulata Bitok!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Cecil Peabody and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
We've got one fighter who appears to only be looking to counter and the other not looking particularly aggressive either, so we could be in for a dull fight.
Buktot shoots for a takedown but Bitok saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
As Buktot backs off Bitok throws a huge counter combo but Buktot manages to avoid it all.

Buktot gets a takedown into half guard.
Buktot seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bitok holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bitok trying to control but Buktot postures up.
Bitok is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Buktot is staying active.
Buktot winds up and cracks Bitok with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Buktot prevents Bitok from improving his position.
Bitok wants to control but Buktot passes into side.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Buktot controls the position.
You can see the frustration on Bitok's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Buktot throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Bitok was covering up waiting for the punch and Buktot finishes the takedown easily into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Buktot controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Bitok is pulling down on Buktot's head to control his posture.
Buktot trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Buktot accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Bitok seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Buktot stays in close to Bitok's body and controls the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Buktot displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Bitok.
And Buktot counters with a quick kick to the body but Bitok blocks it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dawindi Buktot dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Bitok throws a body kick that misses

and Buktot counters with a takedown into side control.
Bitok isn't going anywhere.
Bitok is trying to control Buktot's posture but Buktot avoids it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bitok might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Buktot haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bitok tries to bench press Buktot off him but Buktot keeps the position.
Buktot landing a few strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Buktot seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Bitok for as long as he can get away with.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Bitok shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Buktot thinks about countering with a body kick.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Bitok.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Buktot fails to land the takedown.
Bitok counters with a body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Bitok drives through with a takedown into guard.

Buktot kicks Bitok off and gets to his feet.
Bitok with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bitok shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Buktot as he jumps to the side.
It appears Buktot was looking to counter with a kick there.
Dawindi Buktot has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kulata Bitok.
Buktot tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Bitok defends well and Buktot ends up having to push Bitok into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Bitok has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Buktot avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Buktot has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Bitok after a bit of a struggle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Bitok has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Buktot regains guard immediately.
Dawindi Buktot overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Buktot holds on and takes a little breather.
Buktot keeping full guard, as Bitok tries to pass.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Buktot has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Bitok can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dawindi Buktot dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Bitok misses with a few strikes there.
Buktot fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Bitok avoids it really well and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Buktot closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bitok tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Buktot wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Bitok struggling a bit here.
Buktot wants to control but Bitok is keeping him busy.
Buktot remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Buktot is looking to take a break and control but Bitok is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Bitok tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Buktot wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bitok wants to control but Buktot postures up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Bitok shoots in but no luck this time.
Bitok shoots in but Buktot avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Bitok shoots in for a double leg but Buktot sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
And Buktot counters with a quick kick to the body but Bitok blocks it.
Dawindi Buktot has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kulata Bitok.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Buktot dives in and grabs Bitok's left leg, looking for a takedown. Bitok pushes down on Buktot's head and hops out.
Bitok thinks about the counter body kick.
Buktot leaves Bitok with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Kulata Bitok has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dawindi Buktot is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Buktot is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Bitok can do to turn this around?
Bitok leaves Buktot with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Bitok follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dawindi Buktot showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Buktot, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 30:27
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 30:27
Judge George Francis scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dawindi Buktot!